EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Tim Hardaway has
delivered the dagger many times before, but perhaps never this
early.

Hardaway scored 13 of his 15 points in the decisive first
quarter as the Miami Heat officially eliminated the New Jersey
Nets from the playoff race with their sixth straight win,
103-85.

Throughout his 10-year career, Hardaway repeatedly has made the
clinching shot at crucial times late in the game. Tonight, with
counterpart Stephon Marbury on the sidelines, he took care of
matters much earlier.

The 6-foot guard came out firing, making a pair of long jumpers
in the first minute. His two free throws gave Miami an 18-15
lead with 4:25 remaining and, after the Nets tied it, Hardaway
drilled consecutive 3-pointers in a 15-1 burst that closed the
quarter and gave Miami control for good.

Jamal Mashburn scored 21 points and Alonzo Mourning and Clarence
Weatherspoon added 15 apiece for the Heat (49-26), who have won
12 of their last 15 games to remain atop the Atlantic Division.

Marbury, who leads the Nets in scoring and assists, is out with
knee tendinitis. Elliot Perry received the bulk of his minutes
at point guard and scored a season-high 18 points for the Nets
(31-45), who will miss the postseason for the fifth time in six
years.